Rotary machine



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 mm w R j Q mm s. M. w w fl 3 D A Q m MM wwwm M Q w Q v 0% M w \v uh M M ATTORNEY Dec. 12, 1939. w. D. DAVIDSON ROTARY MACHINE Filed Oct... 8, 1938 Dec. 12, 1939. w. D. DAVIDDDN 2,183,012

ROTARY MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 x BY A TTOR NE Y Dec. 12, 1939. Kw. D. DAVIDSON 2,183,012

ROTARY MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1938 4 Sheet-Sheet s Patented Dec. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT ROTARY MACHINE Application October s, 1938, Serial No. 233,967

16 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in rotary machines of the class commonly employed in the drilling of oil wells and resembles in purpose my invention ior Rotary machine and bushing therefor disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 228,585, filed September 6, 1938.

In order that the features and advantages of my invention may be better understood,-brief reference will be made to the present practice of drilling oil wells by the rotary method.

It is common practice to employ a drill pipe which extends into the hole being drilled and which has a bit secured to the lower end thereof. The upper end of the drill pipe is provided with a drive stem or kelly which is usually of rectangular cross-section, which kelly extends through the table of the rotary machine which is supported on the derrick floor. For the purpose of rotatably driving the kelly it is the present practice to provide a drive bushing or kelly bushing which is placed in the opening of the table of the rotary machine, which drive bushing has an opening of cross-sectional shape corresponding to that of the kelly and through which the kelly extends. When stands of drill pipe are being connected or disconnected from the string of drill pipe slips are employed which are supported in the table by a table bushing or master bushing, these slips fitting into a tapered opening of the table bushing and being caused to tightly grip the pipe so as to support the same.

In theconventional rotary table the drive bushing is supported by the table bushing and the twisting of the kelly tends to spread the table bushing causing wear thereon and on the inside of the rotary table. This wear results in an improper supporting of the table bushing and resultant poor fit between the slips and the tapered opening of the table bushing, and therefore there is an imperfect contact between the slips and the drill pipe.

It is an object of my invention to provide a rotary machine of the general character referred to above in which wear on the table bushing, or master bushing, by reason of engagement of the drive bushing therewith is wholly eliminated.

It is also an. object of my invention to provide a rotary machine in which the drive bushing and table bushing are independently driven by the table and in which these two bushings are wholly out ofcontact with each other so that the drive bushing will not transmit any driving forces or Weight to the table bushing.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a rotary machine of the character pointed out in the preceding paragraph in which the each of the shouldered sections has an upright driving shoulder and a lateral supporting shoulder in difierent horizontal planes and is vertically staggered or'offset so as to be helically arranged.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a rotary machine having the features 1 and advantages pointed out in one or more of the preceding paragraphs and in which the diameter of the table may be held to a minimum.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a rotary machine of the character pointed out in one or more of the preceding paragraphs in which the two shouldered sections are of substantially the same diameter.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a rotary machine of the character pointed out in one or more of the preceding paragraphs in which the upper and-lower shoulders are helically arranged or are circumferentially offset or staggered.

will be pointed out in the course of the following detailed description of alternative forms of my invention which have been chosen for the purpose of instructing those skilled in the art as to how my invention may be practiced. It should be understood, however, that my invention is not limited to the details of construction to be hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but my invention should be construed to cover all modifications thereof which come within the spirit and scope of the preceding statement of invention and appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view partly in section showing a preferred form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the table end of the rotary machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section takenon the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken relationship so that the shape of the parts and.

arrangement of the shouldered sections and shoulders thereof may be clearly illustrated.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 'o6 of Fig. 2 showing the lock means for locking the drive bushing.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary View taken on the line 'i-':' of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 83 of Fig. 2 showing the lock means for the table bushing of my invention.

Fig. 9 is an elevational sectional view of the table end of the rotary machine and shows the position of the parts with the pipe supporting slips in use.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating an alternative form of my invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive of the drawings, I will now describe the form of my invention illustrated in these views. The numeral it represents a base on which a rotar table 12: is rotatably supported by a main hearing it. The table I2 supports a ring gear l which is engaged by a pinion l6, which pinion it is supported on a shaft 2? which may be rotated through the medium of a sprocket H3.

The table l2 has a top portion 2 which provides a top wall 2!. Depending from the top portion 28 is a skirt 22 which is of general cylin drical shape and is surrounded by the main bearing M, and its lower end may support a suitable hold-down bearing means 23 of any of the general forms now employed in the art.

The general construction of the rotary machine does not constitute the essence of the present invention, and my invention which wili now be described may be incorporated in any of the rotary machines now in common use in the industry.

The table l2 has a table opening 2 which is concentric to the axis of rotation of the table and is divided into three sections, an upper shouldered section 26, a lower shouldered section 2?, and a cylindrical or skirt section The upper shouldered section 26 is preferably of polygonal cross-sect on and has vertical walls 29 which constitute driving shoulders and has lat eral or horizontal walls L'El which constitute supporting shoulders. These Walls cooperate to define a number of upper pockets 380. which are symmetrically arranged on equi-spaced lines radiating from the axis of rotation of the table. The lower shouldered section 2'! is likewise of polygonal cross-section and has vertical walls which constitute driving shoulders and lateral or horizontal walls 3 which constitute supporting shoulders. These walls cooperate to define a number of lower pockets 34a which are symmetrically arranged on equi-spaced radial lines. The upper and lower shouldered sections 26 and 2'! are preferably, although not necessarily, of the same cross-sectional size or diameter and the skirt section 28 is preferably of smaller crosssectional size than the two shouldered sections. It will be noted that the upper and lower pockets 3M and 36a are alternately placed on a circle. It will also be noted that the supporting shoulders 39 and 3 5 are arranged in a circle in different horizontal and vertical planes and are therefor helically positioned. It will further be noted that the shoulders 33 extend to the top wall 2! of the table so that the lower shouldered section is accessible from the top of the rotary table so that the table bushing may be readily dropped or lowered into place. It will further be seen that the shoulders 29 and 33 are circumferentially staggered and that the lower portions of the shoulders 33 are in a difierent horizontal plane than the shoulders 29 and that, therefore, the lower portions of the shoulders 33 and the shoulders 29 are helically arranged.

In Fig. 9 I have illustrated a bushing 53? in place in the table opening 24, this bushing 3'. constituting the bushing commonly referred to as the table bushing, slip supporting bushing, or master bushing. This table bushing 32 is preferably split into two halves 38 so that it may be installed in the table opening while a drill pipe, such as 40, is extending through the table opening. The table bushing 37 has an upper shouldered portion it and a lower cylindrical portion 42. The shouldered portion 4i rests in the lower shouldered section 2? of the opening 24 and has upright driving shoulders 53 which engage the lower parts of the driving shoulders 33 of the rotary table whereby relative rotation between the table and the table bushing is prevented and whereby the table may be caused to drive the table bushing. The shouldered portion 4i also has lateral supporting shoulders M adapted to engage the supporting shoulders 34 of the lower shouldered section 21 in order that the table bushing may be supported. The corners of the shouldered portion 5! constitute projections Me which rest in the lower pockets 3%. The cylindrical portion 42 of the table bushing 3'! has a cylindrical wall 46 which may engage a wall of the skirt section 28. The table bushing provides an inner wall 4'! which is conical or tapered, as illustrated, and receives a plurality of pipe supporting slips Z8 which, as illustrated in Fig. 3, engage and support the drill pipe There are referably three slips which are inserted into the table opening from the top thereof by workmen on the derrick floor and which may be provided with suitable handles (not shown).

The table bushing 3'! is supported in the lower shouldered section and skirt section with the conical or tapered seat provided by the wall. 4! in a position concentric to the axis of the table opening 24. The table bushing holds the slips 48 in proper aligned position to properly engage and support the drill pipe 43.

In Figs. 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 I have illustrated my invention with a drive bushing 50 thereof in place and with the parts in the positions they occupy when the kelly is being driven. The kelly bushing or drive bushing of my invention is preferably formed in two parts 5! and 52 which coengage along a diametral line 53. The drive bushing 58 has a central opening 54 which is of rectangular or other polygonal cross-section and is adapted to drivably engage a drive stem or kelly 55 which is usually of rectangular crosssection. The drive bushing 59 includes a shouldered portion 56 which has vertical walls 58 which constitute driving shoulders and are adapted to engage the driving shoulders 23 of the upper shouldered section 26, and they may also, if desired, engage the upper portions of the shoulders 33 so that a maximum area of driving engagement may be obtained. The shouldered portion 56 also has a lower wall 69 which constitutes supporting shoulders which are adapted to engage the supporting shoulders 34 of the upper shouldered section 26 of the opening 24. The shouldered portion 56 has corners or points which constitute projections 60a which rest in in the upper and lower pockets 32a and 34a. The depending skirt of the drive bushing 50 projects downwardly into the conical opening 1310-;

yided by the table bushing 31 and is provided in order that the walls of the opening 54 may be relatively long to give ample driving engage ment between the drive bushing and kelly. When in driving position, as shown in the figures re-' ferred to above, the drive bushing 50 is supported wholly within the table opening 2 and with its top wall flush with the top wall 2| of the table. In this position the drive bushing is supported by the supporting shoulders 36 and may be driven by the driving shoulders 29 or the upper portions of the driving shoulders 33 or both. During this operation the slips &8

are not in use and are removed in order that the lower part of the drive bushing may be extended into the tapered opening of the table bushing.

As clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, there is no weight transmitting contact whatsoever between the drive bushing 50 and the table bushing 38, these parts being preferably separated by a small space 62. The table therefore independently supports the drive bushing and the table bushing and independently drives each of these bushings. No driving force or weight is transmitted from the drive bushing 50 to the table bushing 31.

In order that the bushings may be locked in the table I provide suitable lock means. The drive by full lines in. Figs. 6 and '7, and in which position the end of the latch 65 extends into a recess 68 of the drive bushing 50. The table bushing 31 is locked in place by a similar construction, as illustrated in Fig. 8, which includes a latch member H3 movable between latched and unlatched positions by a rotatable shaft H on which the latch member is mounted. and which is adapted to extend into a recess 12 .of the table bushing 3! when in latched position. By inserting a suitable wrench into polygonal openings 13 formed in the upper ends of the rods 66 and H the latches .65 and ill may be'operated in order to lock or unlock the bushings with respect to the table.

. In Fig. I illustrate another form of drive bu hing identified by the numeral 9 which type of bushing is intended to be supported at all times by the kelly 55. This type of drive bushing includes a one-piece body which has a cylindrical 4 wall 9! which extends upwardly from the shoulretaining member 95 which is bolted to the upper end of the wall 91.

When the kelly is moved upwardlythe joint 91 at the lowerend thereof will engage the drive bushing and lift it upwardly from the table opening. In this form of my invention it is not necessary to manually remove thedrive bushing from place as in the other form of my invention.

In the use of either of the forms of my invention disclosed herein both the table and drive bushings are in place during the time that the fkelly is being driven. The table bushing remains in place at all times ready for use but is used only when the slips 48 are in use. Thetable bushing of my invention is not called upon to support or drive the drive bushing and no supporting or driving forces are transmitted from the drive bushing through the table bushing to the table. The table bushing and walls or shoulders engaging the same are not subjected to wear which would result if the table bushing supported or drove the drive bushing, and therefore these interengaging shoulders or surfaces will remain in good condition and alignment over a long period of time and will support the slips 48 in a concentric and aligned position over long periods of use. If it is necessary to remove large objects through the rotary table the entire table opening may be made accessible by first unlocking the table bushing and then removing it from the table opening.

The design of the table is an important part of my invention because it enables the features and advantages thereof to be accomplished by the use of shouldered sections of substantially the same diameter. This is important because it is not necessary in the practice of my invention to enlarge the diameter of the table which would result in greater centrifugal forces being set up in the table due to its greater diameter.

I understand that various modifications and alterations may be made in my invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and I therefore wish my invention to be broadly construed in accordance with the statement of invention and appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In arotary machine .of the class described, the combination of a base; a table rotatably supported by said base, said table having a table opening which includes an upper shouldered section and a lower shouldered section, each of said sections including a driving shoulder and a supporting shoulder, the supporting shoulders of said sections being circumferentially arranged with said supporting shoulders of said upper section alternately arranged between said supporting shoulders of said lower section; a table bushing in said opening having a shouldered portion positioned in said lower shou dered section of said table opening, said shouldered portion having a being independently supported by said table and said drive bushing transmitting no driving forces or weight to said table bushing.

2. In a rotary machine of the class described, the combination of: a base; a table rotatably supported by said base, said table having atable opening having a plurality of upper pockets circularly arranged at the upper end of said table opening and a plurality of lower pocket-s circumferentially arranged at the upper end of said table= opening, said lower pockets being located between said upper pockets; a table bushing in said table opening having a shouldered portion resting in said lower pockets: a drive bushing in said table opening havin a shouldered portion rest-' ing in said upper pockets.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a table for use as an element of a rotary machine of the class described, said table having a top portion, a skirt depending therefrom, and a table opening through?- said top portion and skirt, said table opening having an upper shouldered section, a lower shouldered section, and a skirt section therebelow, said upper and lower shouldered sections each having a driving shoulder and a supporting shoulder, and said lower shouldered section being of substantially the same cross-sectional size as said upper shouldered section.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a table for use as an element of a rotary machine of the class described, said table having a top portion, a slert depending therefrom, and a table opening through said top portion and skirt, said table opening having circumferentially staggered upper and lower pockets at the upper end thereof and accessible from the top of said table, said pockets respectively having upper and lower supporting shoulders.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a table for use as an element of a rotary machine of the class described, said table having a top portion, a skirt depending therefrom, and a table opening through said top portion and skirt, said table opening having circumferentlally staggered upper and lower pockets of substantially identical cross-sectional shape at the upper end thereof and accessible from the top of said table, said pockets respectively having upper and lower supporting shoulders.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a table for use as an element of a rotary machine of the class described, said table having a top portion, a skirt depending therefrom, and a table opening through said top portion and skirt, said table opening having circunierentially staggered and alternately arranged upper and lower pockets at the upper end thereof and accessible from the top of said table, said pockets respectively having upper and lower supporting shoulders.

'7. In a rotary machine of the class described, the combination of: a base; a table rotatably supported by said base, said table having a table opening which includes an upper shouldered sectien and a lower shouldered section, each of said sections including a driving shoulder and a supporting shoulder, said upper and lower sections being circumferentially arranged around the upper part of said table opening and in direct connection therewith with said supporting and driving shoulders of said upper section being alternately arranged between said driving and supporting shoulders of said lower section; a table bushing in said opening having a shouldered portion positioned in said lower shouldered section of said table opening, said sl1ouldered portion having a driving shoulder and a supporting shoulder engageable with corresponding shoulders of said lower shouldered section; and a drive bushing, positioned in said table opening, having a shouldered portion in said upper shouldered section, said shouldered portion having a driving shoulder and a supporting shoulder engageable with corresponding shoulders of said upper shouldered section, said table ushing and said drive bushing being independently supported by said table and said drive bushing transmitting no driving forces or weight to said table bushing.

8. In a rotary machine of the class described, the combination of: a base; a table rotatably supported by said base, said table having a table opening provided with a plurality of spaced upper supporting shoulders surrounding and connected to said table opening and a plurality of lower supporting shoulders surrounding and connected to said table opening, said upper and lower supporting shoulders being arranged in the same annular area which surrounds said table opening so that in plan said lower supporting shoulders are positioned between said upper supporting shoulders, and having upper and lower driving shoulders arranged in said annular area: a table bushing in said table opening having a shouldered portion having supporting shoulders engaging said lower supporting shoulders of said table and having driving shoulders engaging at least a part of said driving shoulders of said table; and a drive bushing in said table opening having a shouldered portion which has supporting shoulders engaging said upper supporting shoulders of said table and driving shoulders engaging at least a part of said driving shoulders of said table.

9. In a rotary machine of the class described, the combination of: a base; a table rotatably supported by said base, said table having a table opening having upper and lower pockets, said upper and lower pockets being alternately arranged in an annular area which surrounds said table openinr and said pockets connecting directly to said table opening; a table bushing in said table opening having a shouldered portion resting in said lower pockets; and a drive bushing in said table opening having a shouldered portion resting in said upper pockets.

10. As a new article of manufacture, a table for use as an element of a rotary machine of the class described, said table having a top portion,

a skirt depending therefrom, and a table opening through said top portion and said skirt, said table opening having upper and lower pockets which are of substantially identical cross-sectional shape at the upper end thereof and accessible from the top of said table, said pockets respectively having upper and lower supporting shoulders and said pockets being alternately arranged in an annular area whic surrounds the upper end of said table opening, and said pockets bein: directls connected to said table open ng.

11. In a rotary machine of the class described, the combination of: a base; a table rotatably supported by sa d base, said table having a top portion, a skirt depending therefrom, and a table opening through said top portion and skirt, said table opening having circumferentially staggered and alternately arranged upper and lower pockets of substantially the same diameter at the upper end thereof and accessible from the top of said table, said pockets respectively providing upper and lower supporting shoulders and driving shoulders extending from the supporting shoulders to the top surface of said table; a table bushing in said opening having shouldered portions equal in number to and received in said lower pockets to engage the supporting and driving shoulders of said pockets; and a driving bushing in said opening having shouldered portions at least equal in number to and received in the upper pockets to engage the supporting shoulders of the upper pockets, the driving bushing being of sufiicient length to extend partly into the table bushing but being supported by the supporting shoulders of the upper pockets at a sufficient elevation above the table bushing to be ma ntained entirely out of contact with the table bushing.

12. In a rotary machine of the class described, the combination of: a base; a table rotatably supported by said base, said table having a top portion, a skirt depending therefrom, and a table opening through said top portion and skirt, said table opening having circumferentially staggered and alternately arranged upper and lower pookets of substantially the same diameter, at the upper end thereof and accessible from the top of said table, said pockets respectively providing upper and lower supporting shoulders and driving shoulders extending from the supporting shoulders to the top surface of said table; a table bushing in said opening having shouldered portions equal in number to and received in said lower pockets to engage the supporting and driving shoulders of said pockets; and a driving bushing in said opening having shouldered portions equal in number to and received in both of the upper and lower pockets to engage only the supporting shoulders of the upper pockets but engaging the driving shoulders of both the upper and lower pockets.

13. In a rotary machine of the class described, the combination of: a base; a table rotatably supported by said base, said table having a table opening which is provided with alternately arranged upper and lower pockets of substantially the same diameter and accessible through the top surface of the table, said pockets providing respectively upper and lower supporting shoulders and driving shoulders extending from the supporting shoulders to the top surface of said table, a table bushing in said opening having shouldered portions equal in number to and received in said lower pockets to engage the supporting and driving shoulders of said pockets,

and a multi-part driving bushing in saidopening having shouldered portions equal in number to and received in both the upper and lower pockets to engage only the supporting shoulders of the upper pockets but engaging the driving shoulders of both the upper and lower pockets; the driving bushing being supported by the supporting shoulders of the upper pockets so as to depend partly into the table bushing but being entirely out of lateral contact with said table bushing; the driving shoulders of all'of said pockets operating to prevent lateral expansion of the driving bushing parts into engagement with the table bushing.

14. As a new article of manufacture, a table for use as an element of a rotary machine of the class described, said table having a top portion, a skirt depending therefrom, and a table opening through said top portion and skirt, said table opening having alternately arranged upper and lower pockets of substantially the same diameter at the upper end thereof and accessible from the top of said table, the pockets respectively providing upper and lower supporting shoulders and driving shoulders extending from the supporting shoulders to the top surface of said table; the arrangement of pockets being such that the inner pockets only provide a series of driving shoulders at one elevation while both the upper and lower pockets form a series of driving shoulders at a higher'elevation.

15. In a rotary machine of the class described, the improvement which comprises a table having a top portion, a skirt depending therefrom,

and a table opening through said top portion and irt, table opening having alternately arranged upper and lower pockets of substantially the same diameter at the upper end thereof and accessible through the top of said table, said upper and lower pockets providing two entirely independent series of supporting shoulders with. the said shoulders of the respective series being arranged at different elevations;'the lower pockets having driving shoulders extending'from their series of supporting shoulders past the upper pockets to the top surface of the table; and the upper pockets having driving shoulders extending from their series of supporting shoulders to the topisurface of the table.

16. As a new article of manufacture, a table for use as an element of a rotary machine of the class described, said table having a top portion, a skirt depending therefrom, and a table opening through said top portion and skirt, said table opening having alternately arranged upper and lower pockets of substantially the same diameter at the upper end thereof and accessible from the top of said table, the pockets respectivelyproviding upper and lower supporting shoulders and driving shoulders extending from the supporting shoulders to the top surface of said table; the arrangement of pockets being such that the inner pockets only provide a series of driving shoulders at one elevation while both the upper and lower pockets form a series of driving shoulders at a higher elevation, all of said pockets being of substantially triangular shape and of the same size in plan.

WILLIAM D. DAVIDSON. 

